I come by my knowledge of the impact of computer use on the body honestly. I worked in the corporate world and I co-authored "Working on the Ball: A Simple Guide to Office Fitness". During my corporate years, I often suffered from brutal neck pain caused by sitting at a desk for prolonged periods, talking on the phone and using a computer mouse. One of the most common complaints of pain while I'm training someone is wrist or shoulder pain likely caused by desk sitting and mousing all day. Chances are your mousing shoulder is going to sit lower than your other shoulder, be more internally rotated and at higher risk for injury.
Here's some generally agreed to facts about mouse use:
• Improper mouse use is a significant source of injury for computer users
• Gripping the mouse too intensely can lead to thumb and finger tendonitis
• The mouse can cause shoulder and bicep tendonitis as well as muscle fatigue
• Prolonged mouse use can lead to thoracic outlet syndrome.
• Anyone who works extensively with computers should consider their machines as potential occupational hazards.
So what to do?
Don't use your laptop mouse and get an attachable mouse used in a proper position. A laptop mouse will definitely mess you up.
Get advice from an ergonomist if you have one at your disposal at your workplace.
Take breaks from your computer regularly.
Buy my book and refer to the desk set up section.
Chances are that if you have regular pain in your mouse side wrist, shoulder, neck or behind the scapula, the work you do at a desk is either causing it or making it worse and it won't get better on its own. A combination of strength training focused on structural balance, stretching and body work like active release therapy or accupuncture plus fixing your desk set up is necessary to resolve your pain.
Good luck with your evil mice.
Jane Clapp
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